Innes prevents Young taking a hat-trick

Elmtree Excalibur A and Maldon B produced a well contested battle in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, so much so that no single player stayed undefeated. Elmtree’s Gary Young scored fine wins over impressive newcomer Alex Abbott and Jon Stokes but he wasn’t able to clinch victory for his side. He missed out 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 9-11 to an inspired Hamish Innes in the last game of the evening to leave the scores locked at 5-5. Another relative newcomer to this League - Richard Brown - made his mark with two fine wins, against Jon Stokes and Hamish Innes. ECC A looked to be heading to victory as they moved into a somewhat surprising 4-2 lead against the leaders - Bocking A. Lucy Wang had been on inspired form beating both Kevin Gowlett and David Cole 3-0. However, Bocking raised their game at precisely the right moment. Gowlett in particular made his mark, fighting back to beat Steve Kerns after trailing 2-0 as well as David Evans (3-0). Bocking eventually won 6-4. ECC fared better against Writtle A. The inclusion of twice Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Steve Joslin strengthened them and they ran out 8-2 winners. The hard-hitting Paul Cuming made his presence felt beating both Steve Kerns and Essex Junior first team star Evangeline Collier 3-0.

Steve Northcott can’t do anything wrong at present and he again won his three singles as OCs A beat Hatfield Peverel C 7-3 in division two. He fought back with real determination to get the better of Peter Mynard 6-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11- 6, 11-7.Chelmsford B produced a good all-round team performance to get the better of Hatfield Peverel B 7-3. Alastair Piper led the way with three fine wins and team-mates Julie Vansertima and Adrian Pitt both won twice. ECC B, this year’s draw specialists drew again. Gary Brignall’s excellent hat-trick of wins enabled them to share the points with Liberal. The Liberal team in turn tasted victory against Hatfield Peverel B, winning 8-2. Barry Pritchard and Steve Elmes both stayed undefeated for Liberal. Robin Armstrong won twice and this included a rather shaky looking 11-8, 7-11, 12-10, 0-11, 11-8 victory over John Gagg.

Division three produced five clear-cut wins. ECC D led the way with their superb 10-0 victory over Danbury C. Bryn Thomas, Colin Blore and James Hicks gave nothing away. Danbury B had Tim Pulham and Neil Want on unbeaten form as they defeated ECC C 8-2 whilst Bocking B relied on team-work as they beat ECC C 7-3. Garry Fryatt, Richard Jennings and Roy Hooper all won twice. Danbury C, so off the pace against ECC D fared much better against OCs B and they won 7-3. Mo Hardy led the way with a hat-trick of wins over Chris Ciniglio, Adrian North and David Porter. ECC D didn’t hit quite the same heights against Danbury B as they had against Danbury C but they nevertheless ran out worthy 7-3 winners. Bryn Thomas and James Hicks both stayed undefeated.

Elmtree Excalibur D were the week’s big winners in division four. Richard Hiskey and Tony Vassallo both won their three singles as they beat Chelmsford D 8-2. Danbury E had the wily Gordon Gatherall to thank as they beat ECC E 7-3 whilst OCs C edged out Danbury F 6-4. Dave Porter and Roy Moore picked up doubles for the Old Chelmsfordians side whilst John Robinson won twice for Danbury.

Danbury K (Janet Pannell - two wins, Roger Tiffin - three wins and John Skuse - two wins) were 8-2 winners over OCs D in division five. Their victory included two successive fifth games successes. John Skuse got the better of Dave Burke 9- 11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9 and Roger Tiffin saw off Farooq Ahmed 11-9, 11-1, 4- 11, 11-13, 11-9 and after these wins there was no way back for OCs. Hatfield Peverel E beat ECC F 7-3. Guy McKenzie and Dave Carter both won their three singles. Dave Carter, predictably also won his three singles as Hatfield Peverel E drew with their D team. Gareth Davies and Andy Simmonds both picked up doubles for Hatfield Peverel D.

In division six Chelmsford F did well to beat Elmtree Excalibur E 8-2. Chris Denyer won his three singles and Matt Davies and Ian Austin both won twice. OCs E had Matthew Porter to thank as they beat Hylands School B 6-4. He won his three singles and team-mate Fred Mastin won twice. Mastin had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Tom Barker 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4, 11-9. Jack Crook, with two wins was the most successful of the Hylands School players.

Black Notley ran out 5-0 winners against ECC G in the CLICK League. Lee Rose and George Wallace were both undefeated. Wallace set his side on their way to victory, by beating Ben England 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 11-4 in the opening game of the night.

All players are reminded that the Closing date for entering the 2010-11 Chelmsford Closed Championships (to be held over the weekend of 04-06 February 2011) at the Anglia Ruskin University is Monday 06 December 2010. Entry forms are in the League Handbook and should be returned to the Competition Organiser - Arthur Clark either via Club Secretaries or directly.

A date for the diaries for all Table Tennis enthusiasts is the weekend of Friday 26 to Sunday 28 November 2010. British League Premier Division action is taking place at the BATTS Table Tennis Club, The Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield, Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, CM17 0EY commencing at 11.00 hours on the Saturday and at 10.00 hours on the Sunday. Current international players Paul Drinkhall (Barrow), Gavin Rumgay (Barrow), Darius Knight (Barrow), Ryan Jenkins (Drumchapel Glasgow), Craig Howieson (Drumpchapel Glasgow) and John Murphy (Ormesby) as well as former international players Gareth Herbert (Drumchapel Glasgow), Terry Young (Drumchapel Glasgow), Jason Sugrue (DHS Greenhouse Progress), Colum Slevin (DHS Greenhouse Progress) and Sule Olaleye (Fusion) are all eligible to play. Former Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Lorestas Trumpauskas is in the Fusion squad. Admission is free and food is available. Sunday afternoon action features the match which may well decide the destination of the title -the leaders Barrow versus the holders - Drumchapel Glasgow. Don’t miss it.

For those who cannot make Saturday or Sunday - Friday night offers an equally impressive spectacle. Round two of the BATTS Super League has a top class field in attendance and at least 16 of the 32 places will be taken by the British League Premier Division stars. Gavin Rumgay, Ryan Jenkins, Darius Knight, Chris Doran, Po Huang “Barry” Chen, Jason Sugrue, Michael Marsden, Wang Zheng and Colum Slevin will all be loking to share the £300 prize money. Admission is free and the action starts at 19.30 hours. Again, an event very well worth going to see.

Saturday night action, starting at 18.00 hours will see a friendly match between the Welsh National Ladies squad and a South of England select side. Evangeline Collier (ECC) will be playing for the South of England team along with England no. seven Lauren Spink (Norfolk).

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League